<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#00FF00">Another terrorist taken out of the picture.</font>

TORONTO (CP) - In a city full of movie sets, morning commuters were witness to a real-life hostage-taking Wednesday as a police marksman fired a single shot through a gunman's head to end the brief drama outside the country's busiest downtown train station.

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<font face="Verdana" size="3" color="#00FF00">At what point did this man go from being a family man with problems to a terrorist? Probably the moment he fired shots into the crowd, or as soon as he took an hostage. I think the incident is unfortunate as the man possibly needed help and wasn't thinking clearly and I think the cops did a great job at doing what needed to be done as there didn't seem to be any other choice in this incident. But are those who snap like that a terrorist? I guess by definition of there actions they are.</font>

[ 08-26-2004, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

I wouldn't call him a terrorist. IMO, the definition of terrorist is someone who primarily targets a society or country based on political and/or religious motives - they may attack symbols of the society (including people), but generally do not care which particular citizens get in the way.

This guy decided to take revenge on his ex for whatever reason, and picked her specifically. It's notable that he only took the hostage after he was spotted and chased; he was trying to escape the situation. He wasn't attacking the society.

He was, however, armed, desperate and dangerous. The police did what they had to do.

[ 08-26-2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: Aerich ]

At least there was more action, and less bureaucracy for this ordeal. However, 40 minutes is an eternity from the eye of a sniper. Glad to hear the outcome is good, and no bystanders and innocents were hurt.